Woman Triumphs!
British Sailor Ellen MacArthur has broken the world record for sailing around the world solo. She completed the 26,000-mile circumnavigation in February. Her journey took 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes, 33 seconds, beating the existing record of Francis Joyon of France by more than a day.
MacArthur averaged only four hours a day of sleep, and never more than 30 minutes at a stretch. “There were some times out there that were excruciatingly difficult,” she said. “There were more lows than highs, no doubt about it. It is exceptionally difficult to communicate how tough this was.�
In recognition of MacArthur’s remarkable achievements, Queen Elizabeth II has approved a damehood (the female equivalent of a knighthood) for her. The 28-year-old MacArthur is the youngest person to receive this honor. In addition, the Royal Navy said MacArthur would be made an honorary naval officer, holding the title of Lt. Commander in the Royal Navy Reserve.
MacArthur joins an ever-expanding sisterhood of women world record holders that include Ironman (sic) champion Paula Newby-Frazier, rock climber Lynn Hill, and famed Iditarod champion Susan Butcher.